McCutchen is not in the starting lineup Monday night against the Rockies, Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's McCutchen's first day off of the 2016 season. Starling Marte will slide over to play center field, while Matt Joyce draws into the lineup and hits second for the Pirates on Monday against Rockies right-hander Chad Bettis.

McCutchen went 1-for-6 with four strikeouts Sunday against the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

He's struggling right now, with opposing pitchers challenging him with 92-mph fastballs -- and winning. McCutchen has whiffed 19 times in his last 12 games and has just six extra-base hits in 89 at-bats in 2016. Manager Clint Hurdle has started him in each of the team's first 19 games, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him get a day off in the near future. That said, Monday's begins a four-game set in hitter-friendly Colorado, which could be the perfect tonic for McCutchen's slump.

McCutchen, who went 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts Wednesday, is batting .059 in 17 at-bats with runners in scoring position.

EDGE Analysis

He's hit a pair of solo homers in the past week but has otherwise struggled, striking out 12 times in eight games. McCutchen is slashing .237/.348/.407 in the early going. He's gone 1-for-4 with a pair of walks against Thursday starter James Shields.

McCutchen went 1-for-4 with a walk, while also scoring twice and stealing his first base of the season Tuesday in San Diego.

EDGE Analysis

Those who drafted McCutchen for his combination of power and speed were surely starting to get a little antsy, but he has quelled any fears with a pair of homers and a steal in the last three games. The 2013 NL MVP swiped just 11 bags in 2015 after getting at least 18 in each of his six previous seasons, but it'd be shocking if he didn't end up breaking double digits once again at age 29.

McCutchen went deep Sunday for his second homer in as many days against Milwaukee.

EDGE Analysis

Unfortunately for fantasy owners, the solo home run was his lone hit in six official at-bats -- he twice was retired with the bases loaded. McCutchen is also still looking for his first stolen base after being thrown out for the second time in two attempts Sunday.

McCutchen went 1-for-3 with a solo homer and a walk Saturday against the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

McCutchen finally connected for his first homer of the season in the fifth inning to give the Pirates an insurance run in a winning effort. After a slow start, he's now posted extra-base hits in three of his last four contests while also hitting safely in four straight games.

After going hitless with two strikeouts in four at-bats Tuesday, McCutchen is batting .258 with no homers and one RBI.

EDGE Analysis

Batting second, McCutchen is tied with the Dodgers' Adrian Gonzalez for the league lead in plate appearances (37). He's just missed hitting several homers, but his soft contact percentage (25.9 percent) is nearly double his career norm (13.7 percent). McCutchen is looking to start strong after a slow start last season but so far the results have been ordinary.

McCutchen went 3-for-5 with a double Tuesday against St. Louis.

EDGE Analysis

He was thrown out at the plate on a curious call. McCutchen tried scoring from second base on a single to right field with no outs. The Pittsburgh coaching staff promised to be more aggressive following the loss of home run hitters Pedro Alvarez and Neil Walker but may have gone a little overboard sending Cutch. For his part, McCutchen is seeing the ball well and looking to carry over his strong spring into regular-season action.

McCutchen (quad) will bat second and play center field Saturday against Tampa Bay, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

The outfielder missed Friday's game and the two-hour bus ride to Fort Myers but will play against the Rays. Manager Clint Hurdle continues to bat McCutchen second in the lineup, an indication that the team's best hitter will likely hit in the spot to start the regular season.

McCutchen was scratched from Friday's lineup as a precaution due to tightness in his quadriceps, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Again, the scratch is more precautionary than due to a significant ailment, so this is likely only a short-term concern. The Pirates have split squad games on Saturday, so he could return then.